Crypto Gambling · Review
ActivePolybear Review 2026: Cornell’s play-money markets
Polybear is a Cornell-email-only prediction market where users trade play-money Big Red Bucks on campus events, sports, and local news. BRB has no cash value, so this is for campus forecasting and competition rather than earning money.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
5.0/10
Mixed
Our verdict on Polybear
5.0/10Polybear may suit Cornell email holders who want to forecast campus events and compare results with other users without risking cash. Its focus on Cornell and Ithaca gives the markets a clear niche, and the leaderboard adds a competitive element. The main limitation is that BRB has no cash value, while fees, resolution procedures, licensing, and security details are not published. Treat it as a play-money campus activity, not a source of income, and remember that Polybear is not affiliated with Cornell University.
Score breakdown
How Polybear scores
- Security
- n/a
- Ease of use
- 7.0/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 5.0/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is Polybear?
Polybear is a prediction market for Cornell and Ithaca topics, with markets on campus decisions, Greek life, events, weather, and sports. Users sign in with a Cornell email and take positions using Big Red Bucks (BRB).
The site describes BRB as play money with no cash value. Polybear is not affiliated with Cornell University, and its homepage does not publish detailed market-resolution rules, fees, licensing, or security information.
How Polybear works
Polybear lists questions about Cornell and Ithaca events, including campus policy, concerts, weather, and sports. Users choose a side in a market; the homepage displays chances and trading volume, and its how-it-works description says users get paid in the platform's play money for being right.
That currency is called Big Red Bucks, or BRB. Polybear states that BRB has no cash value, so it should not be treated as a cryptocurrency or a way to earn cash. Detailed settlement rules, including how outcomes are resolved, are not published on the homepage.
5 features
Key features
01
Cornell email access
The site requires a Cornell email to sign in, making access campus-focused.
02
Campus-focused markets
Markets cover topics such as fraternity events, university decisions, Slope Day, local weather, and Cornell sports.
03
Yes/No positions
Users can choose Yes or No on listed questions, with market chances and BRB volume shown on the homepage.
04
Trader leaderboard
The site displays a leaderboard of top traders, with results shown in BRB.
05
Play-money currency
Big Red Bucks are identified as play money with no cash value.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Markets are tailored to Cornell campus life and nearby Ithaca events.
- The homepage shows market chances and BRB trading volume.
- A leaderboard gives users a way to compare play-money results.
- The site clearly states that BRB has no cash value.
Watch out for
- BRB is play money with no cash value, so correct predictions do not produce real-money winnings.
- Market resolution rules and how disputed outcomes are handled are not published on the homepage.
- Trading fees and other charges are not published.
- The site's licensing, KYC requirements beyond Cornell-email access, audits, and security arrangements are not stated.
- Markets are limited to Cornell, Ithaca, campus events, and related sports or local topics.
Polybear fees
Polybear does not publish trading fees or other platform charges on its homepage. Check the market interface and the site's terms for any applicable charges before taking a position.
Is Polybear safe?
Polybear states that BRB is play money with no cash value, and Cornell email is required for access. Its homepage does not publish an audit, smart-contract or custody details, licensing status, KYC requirements, or incident history. It also says it is not affiliated with Cornell University.
Check whether online gambling or prediction-market services are legal where you live. This is an adults-only activity for people 18 and older; use responsible-gambling practices, even when the currency is play money.
5 steps
How to get started with Polybear
- 1
Sign up or log in with a Cornell email.
- 2
Browse the listed campus, sports, and Ithaca markets.
- 3
Choose a market and select a side, such as Yes or No.
- 4
Trade using BRB, Polybear's play-money currency.
- 5
Check the leaderboard to compare results with other users.
Who Polybear is for
Polybear is aimed at people with Cornell email addresses who want to make play-money predictions about campus news, sports, and Ithaca events. It is not suitable for anyone seeking cash betting or a redeemable crypto token.
Polybear FAQs
What is Polybear?
Polybear is a prediction market focused on Cornell and Ithaca topics. Users pick a side in markets about campus events, university decisions, sports, and local news.
Can you win real money on Polybear?
No. The site says BRB is play money with no cash value. It does not describe BRB as a depositable or redeemable cryptocurrency.
How do you use Polybear?
The site says users sign in with a Cornell email, pick a side, and can climb the leaderboard. Its homepage presents Yes and No choices and shows market chances and BRB volume.
Do you need a Cornell email to use Polybear?
Polybear says Cornell emails are required. It also says it is not affiliated with Cornell University.
Is Polybear licensed, and does it require KYC?
Polybear does not publish its licensing status or KYC requirements. Check whether online gambling or prediction-market services are legal where you live; participation should be limited to adults 18 and older, and responsible gambling matters even when play money is used.
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How we checked
Sources
No public sources were recorded for this review.
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